🔗 Share this article

Authorities in the city have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search goes on. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the cost of people’s lives,” he said.

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Local media said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

Local media also covered the detention of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals using vehicles and transit to bring in mountains of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by evening, officers were patrolling the area, and government officials soon took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was reportedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the language of past campaigns but did not advocate political change.

The individual told media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I cannot foresee the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.